Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Two Pieces for string quartet "Elegy and Polka", Op.30b

A tasting menu of string quartet movements interspersed with readings made for an absorbing afternoon. 

The Borodin Quartet put on a showcase display of pure, rich tone and superbly unanimous playing at Sage Gateshead but their Shostakovich lacked bite.

Opening the concert season at Leiden’s Stadsgehoorzaal was a beautiful concert of chamber music by two talented young string quartets: the Finzi Quartet and Quatuor Byron. On the program were string quartets by Haydn, Ravel and Shostakovich – an eclectic mix that turned out rather well. The absolute highlight of the evening was Shostakovich’s String Quartet No.